Chapter 11 Seeing Evil Tang Su Zi no longer had the energy to care about Ling...

Tang Suzi no longer had the energy to pay attention to Ling An's scolding. She was just secretly glad that he was safe.

"It's okay, I'm glad you're okay."

Seeing her like this, Ling An's anger instantly dissipated.

He said no more, but silently helped Tang Suzi up and walked out of the birch forest step by step.

After slowly moving away from the Holy Mountain, the pain in Tang Suzi's heart gradually subsided, her consciousness began to return to normal, and the world around her became clear again.

Looking at Ling An who was silently supporting her all the way, Tang Suzi finally couldn't hold back the many questions and speculations in her heart, and she couldn't help but ask,

"Ling An, did you flee to the human world for Lin Xiangli?"

Ling An paused slightly, as if he was a little surprised by Tang Suzi's direct question.

He was silent for a moment, and finally responded softly with a word,

"Um."

After his guess was initially verified, Tang Suzi continued to ask,

"Can I know what your relationship with her is?"

Ling An did not answer directly, but instead looked into the distance, as if he had traveled through time and space and returned to the distant past.

He slowly opened his mouth and told his story.

"The path to becoming a divine beast is not an easy one. To ascend from a mortal being to the body of a divine beast requires a journey through nine levels of tribulation. Although I endured hardships in the first eight levels, I ultimately made it through. However, the most difficult is the final level—'Seeing Evil,' which tests one's deep understanding and acceptance of human nature."

Speaking of this, Ling An's expression could not hide his sadness.

"The 'Seeing Evil' calamity occurred about ten years ago. The world was struck by an unprecedented famine, causing widespread suffering and devastation. At that time, I was still an insignificant pet in a certain family. Unfortunately, I learned that my owner planned to slaughter me to relieve his family's hunger. In desperation, I escaped..."

Ling An lowered his eyes slightly, and pursed his lips into a straight line, as if suppressing something. Then he slowly opened his mouth and continued,

"On the run, I witnessed countless human tragedies: cannibalism driven by hunger, the slaughter of family members driven by the pressure of survival... These scenes were like sharp blades, slicing through me time and again. Every time I thought I had escaped capture, hungry people would pounce on me like ravenous wolves, attempting to feed on me. Although I managed to escape, my hatred for humanity grew like wild weeds in my heart."

He paused, as if recalling that difficult time.

"At that time, I was filled with doubt and resentment. If becoming a divine beast meant protecting such despicable creatures, then why did I endure so much suffering and trials? This contradiction and struggle almost consumed me."

However, Ling An's eyes suddenly softened, as if a ray of light had penetrated the haze.

"But fate is full of twists and turns. Just when I was about to be overwhelmed by hatred, I met her. That day, I was struggling to find food in the mountains and forests when a frail figure suddenly appeared in my sight. Driven by my long-standing wariness of humans, I was instantly driven by instinct and leaped forward. My sharp teeth instantly locked onto her ankle, and the smell of blood immediately filled the air."

Recalling the scene at that time again, Ling An's tone was somewhat reluctant.

"When I realized what I had done, I quickly opened my mouth and retreated quickly, keeping a safe distance from her, vigilantly observing her reaction. However, the little girl didn't scream or cry. Instead, she slowly stood up. From her unsteady steps, I could tell she was in great pain. She struggled to fumble something out of the backpack, broke it, and put it down. Then, limping out of sight."

Tang Suzi was listening intently. When she saw Ling An pause, she asked anxiously,

"What did the little girl leave behind?"

As she gradually retreated, the fresh yet slightly bitter scent of camellia gradually dissipated, leaving only half a steamed bun lying quietly on the ground.

Thinking of that half steamed bun, Ling An smiled faintly and continued,

"At that moment, I understood the true meaning of 'seeing evil' - knowing the evil in human nature without being disgusted by it. The true mission of the divine beasts is not to judge or hate any living being, but to use their power to guide and redeem, to protect the kindness and harmony of the human world."

Tang Suzi was moved by what she heard. She seemed to have figured something out and asked,

"So, Lin Xiangli is the little girl from back then?"

Ling An nodded.

"Yes, when I smelled the familiar scent of camellia in Tanshan Temple again, I knew it was her. She was in trouble, and I couldn't just stand by and watch."

Tang Suzi suddenly understood, and the confusion and puzzlement of the past few days disappeared at this moment.

She finally understood why Ling An was so obsessed with staying by Lin Xiangli's side.

Lin Xiangli's innocence and kindness also quietly touched Tang Suzi's heart.

Just as she was about to express her willingness to join the assistance to Ling An, a burst of hurried horse hooves sounded.

Tang Suzi and Ling An stopped at the same time, their eyes following the approaching figure.

As the distance shortened, the speeding figure gradually became clearer, until it completely appeared before them.

Fang Bu Yu? !

The sound of horse hooves stopped abruptly a few steps away from Tang Suzi and Ling An.

Fang Buyu quickly dismounted and walked straight towards Tang Suzi.

His eyes fell on Tang Suzi's slightly pale face, and then he took off his silver-edged plush cloak without hesitation, gently draped it over Tang Suzi's shoulders, and carefully fastened her collar.

Tang Suzi was a little surprised. She looked up at Fang Buyu.

"Why...are you here?"

"Xiaoying sent someone to tell me that you went to the Holy Mountain."

Fang Buyu answered briefly without further explanation.

After helping Tang Suzi tidy up her cloak, he gently hugged her and walked towards the horse.

"I'll take you back."

There was a tone of voice that brooked no refusal.

Tang Suzi looked at Ling An, as if he wanted to say something.

But Fang Buyu had already gently embraced her and helped her onto the horse.

After Tang Suzi sat down steadily, Fang Buyu jumped onto the horse's back. He held the reins tightly and drove the horse forward slowly.

He didn't even glance at Ling An during the whole process.

The horses moved steadily across the snow, the sound of their hooves echoing in the wind and snow.

Tang Suzi and Fang Buyu sat side by side on horseback. Although they were so close, they seemed to be separated by an invisible ice wall and were silent all the way.

Tang Suzi could feel the faint anger emanating from Fang Buyu, which made her feel confused and uneasy.

After thinking for a moment, she mustered up the courage to break the silence.

"I'm sorry for making you worry."

Fang Buyu's brows did not relax when he heard Tang Suzi's apology.

When I heard Xiaoying's message that Tang Suzi had gone alone to the holy mountain where an avalanche was still happening, I still feel the worry and fear at that moment.

"You're too reckless. How could you not know the dangers of avalanches? What if something unexpected happens to you? If you suddenly faint again like last time, who will save you?"

Hearing Fang Buyu's words, Tang Suzi felt an inexplicable sense of guilt.

She lowered her head and explained softly,

"I... I didn't think too much about it at the time. I was just worried that Ling An would be in danger..."

Hearing this, Fang Buyu's expression became even darker.

"You should worry more about yourself."

Although the words were clearly words of concern, the tone was as cold as ice.

The two fell into silence again until the horse slowly stopped in front of the gate of Fang Mansion.

Xiaoying had been waiting anxiously at the door. Seeing Tang Suzi return safely, she hurried to meet him.

"Girl, you're back!"

After Tang Suzi dismounted and stood firmly, Xiaoying carefully checked that she was safe and sound before she breathed a sigh of relief.

At this time, Fang Buyu's voice sounded from the side.

"Go to the kitchen and prepare some ginger soup for Miss Tang to drive away the cold. I still have some official business to attend to, so I'll be leaving first."

After saying this, he did not look at Tang Suzi, but just gently pulled the reins, jumped on the horse again, and then rode away.

Before Tang Suzi had time to take off his cloak and return it to him, he saw his figure in a thin robe walking away in the wind and snow.

Tang Suzi felt mixed emotions...

——————

The moment she saw Tang Suzi in front of Ningxiangju, Lin Xiangli's eyes were filled with confusion and helplessness. She couldn't help but look at Ling An, trying to find an answer.

"What... is going on?"

Ling An stared at Tang Suzi's eyes full of expectation for a long time. After a long time, he sighed helplessly and finally gave in.

"Well, let her follow."

The door of Ningxiangju was closed during the day, with only two guards quietly guarding the door, making it look extremely deserted.

Ling An stepped forward and politely asked the guard,

"Excuse me, could you please inform me that we have something important to discuss with Miss Chen Weiyu?"

The guard glanced at them, a hint of disdain on his lips.

"Humph, can anyone see the Oiran?"

Seeing this, Ling An calmly took out a small gold ingot from his sleeve and quietly put it into the guard's hand.

The guard's eyes lit up instantly, and then he lowered his voice and whispered,

"Mrs. Chen returned home early this morning."

So, Tang Suzi followed Ling An and Lin Xiangli to Chen Weiyu's residence.

When they were almost at Chen Weiyu's house, they happened to see a lively wedding procession passing by, with loud gongs and drums, and it was extremely lively.

Outside the crowd, they noticed an old man leaning against the mottled wall at the door of the thatched house, looking at the wedding procession going away with a gloomy back.

It seems to be the old vegetable seller I met that day.

Tang Suzi thought.

As they slowly approached, they saw that the old man seemed to have suddenly lost support and collapsed on the snow.

The three of them quickly quickened their pace and stepped forward to support him.

When the old man first saw Ling An and Lin Xiangli, a hint of confusion flashed in his eyes, but when Tang Suzi's face came into view, his expression turned to surprise, and his lips trembled slightly.

"Girl, you..."

"Old man, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"

Tang Suzi squatted down and asked worriedly.

Hearing this, the old man covered his chest tightly, tears streaming down his face.

"My daughter, my poor daughter, what will happen to her..."